Drew University is a selective coeducationalprivate university located in Madison, New Jersey, in the United States. Drew has been nicknamed the "University in the Forest" because of the serenity of its wooded 186-acre campus (753,000 m²) when compared to the busy suburban area surrounding the school. As of 2013, 2,369 students are pursuing degrees at the university's three schools.[3] Undergraduate tuition for the 2012–2013 academic year was US$54,200 (excluding books, personal expenditures, and health insurance), making Drew among the most expensive universities in New Jersey.[5]USNews ranked Drew among the top 100 national liberal arts colleges in its 2015 rankings. [1].

In 1867, financier and railroad tycoon Daniel Drew purchased an estate in Madison to establish a theological seminary to train candidates for ministry in the Methodist church. The seminary later expanded to offer an undergraduateliberal arts curriculum in 1928 and graduate studies in 1955. The College of Liberal Arts, serving 1,582 undergraduate students, offers strong concentrations in the natural sciences, social sciences, languages and literatures, humanities and the arts and in several interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary fields. The Drew Theological School, the third-oldest of thirteen Methodist seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church,[6] currently enrolls 436 students preparing for careers in the ministry and the academic study of theology.[3] The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, enrolling 351 graduate students, offers masters and doctoral degrees in a variety of specialized and interdisciplinary fields.[3]

While affiliated with the Methodist faith, Drew University makes no religious demands of its students. While many of the Theological School's students and faculty are United Methodist, students of all faiths are admitted to study. The United Methodist Church's General Commission on Archives and History is located on campus and maintains an archive of Methodist records and artifacts from the nineteenth century to the present.

The university sits on the former estate of William Gibbons (1794–1852), a southern gentleman who owned the New York–New Jersey steamboat business of Gibbons v. Ogden fame,[a] and who pieced together a 95-acre estate in Madison, New Jersey in 1832. He named his holdings "The Forest,"[11][12] which gives Drew its nickname of the "University in the Forest". The following year, Gibbons commissioned the design and construction of a Greek revivalantebellum-style residence from that was completed in 1836. In 1867, financier and railroadtycoonDaniel Drew (1797–1879) purchased Gibbons' estate from his descendants for $140,000.[13][14] Drew, a devout Methodist, donated the estate to the church to establish a Methodist theological seminary.[13][14] The estate's mansion would be renamed "Mead Hall" in honor of Drew's wife, Roxanna Mead.[13]

Drew's academic buildings feature a mix of Greek Revival, Collegiate Gothic, and neoclassical architecture on a 186-acre (753,000 m²) campus that is a serene, wooded oasis in the middle of a bustling suburban town. The campus features the Drew Forest Preserve, an 80-acre expanse that was recently restored with the planting of 1,100 native trees and shrubs by the university community and volunteer assistance from pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer (a large, local employer), the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Jersey Audubon Society.[22] The University's campus also features the Florence and Robert Zuck Arboretum, named for two botany faculty members, containing a mixture of native and non-native trees, plants and two small glacial ponds supporting populations of turtles, goldfish, catfish, and muskrats, and various species of birds including migratory fowl such as Canada geese, ducks, and herons.[22][23] The preserve and arboretum both provide a natural laboratory for the instruction of students in the study of biology and life sciences and for research, but is also open to the public by appointment.[22] According to the New Jersey chapter of the Audubon Society, the arboretum and forest preserve is "important for groundwater recharge and runoff reduction within the Passaic River watershed and the Buried Valley Aquifer System."[22]

Drew offered professional training for candidates to the ministry augmented by "an opportunity for a broad culture through the study of the humanities."[25] The seminary attracted a faculty that made influential contributions to Methodist theology and biblical scholarship, including James Strong (1822–1894), a professor of exegetical theology, collaborated with McClintock on the ten-volume Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (1867–1881), and researched, compiled, and published Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890) during his tenure at the seminary.[26] Writings on early church theology and Christian practice were translated into Chinese for use by foreign missions.[27]

Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Drew Theological Seminary educated and trained hundreds of Methodist ministers. It began to expand its role with the addition of a course of study for women in 1920 when it established a "College of Missions."[28] This course would be renamed the "College of Religious Education and Missions" in 1929 but was short-lived.[28]

In 1928, Drew Theological Seminary accepted a gift of $1.5 million from brothers Arthur J. Baldwin (1868–1939) and Leonard D. Baldwin (1866–1933) to establish an undergraduate liberal arts college. The Baldwins were successful attorneys who were raised on a farm in Cortland, New York. Both brothers attended Cornell University.[29][30][31] They established a law firm with former New Jersey governorJohn Griggs spanning "varied interests in lumbering, manufacturing, transportation, and other enterprises that ranged from owning the Grosvenor Hotel in New York City to Arthur's legal counseling for the rising McGraw-Hill publishing empire."[29][31] The Baldwins became acquainted with the seminary's president, Ezra Squier Tipple, who "welcomed the brothers to his prominent New York City Methodist Church when they came to Manhattan."[29] Leonard Baldwin eventually became a trustee of the seminary in 1919.[29] The donation originally consisted of $500,000 to build a college building, and $1,000,000 in the form of Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) stock. However, the Baldwins exchanged the stock with a gift of cash in October 1928.[29]

The courtyard of Brothers College, built 1928

In their modesty and in recognition of their sibling affection, the Baldwins asked that it be named "Brothers College."[29] The theological seminary then changed its name to "Drew University" to reflect its expanded role.[10] Brothers College, lated renamed as the "College of Liberal Arts", opened in September 1928 with its first class of 12 students.[29] Brothers College would incorporate the women's program and become coeducational in 1942 during World War II when school officials recognized that the military draft and war effort would reduce the all-male student body.[28] Drew offered admission to United States Navy personnel through the V-12 Navy College Training Program. Drew was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the program which offered students a path to a naval officers' commission.[32]

Drew began offering graduate-level education in 1912. The university expanded its graduate education programs focusing in religious studies in 1955 with the establishment of the Graduate School, the third of Drew's degree-granting entities. Four years later, it would expand the curriculum into other areas of the humanities. The Graduate School was renamed as the "Caspersen School of Graduate Studies" after a pledge of $5,000,000 in 1999 by financier Finn M. W. Caspersen (1941–2009) and his wife (and Drew alumna) Dr. Barbara Morris Caspersen.[28][33]

In 1984, psychology professors Philip Jensen and Richard Detweiler led an effort to provide a personal computer and application software to all incoming freshman, a program referred to as the "Computer Initiative". Drew was the first liberal arts college to have such a requirement. The Computer Initiative differentiates Drew from other liberal arts colleges, and continues to this day. As a result, Drew has considerably fewer public computing labs than comparable schools its size, utilizing the centrally-managed student laptops for instructional and general-purpose computing use.

After serving two-terms as New Jersey's 48th governor, Thomas Kean (b. 1935) was appointed as Drew's tenth president. He would serve for 15 years before retiring in 2005. During his tenure, Kean continued his work in public service on several commissions, and was appointed as chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States by George W. Bush in the wake of the September 11th attacks.[34] However, as president, Kean raised the Drew's profile, overseeing fundraising efforts that tripled the size of the university's endowment, adding new faculty in African, Asian, Russian, and Middle Eastern Studies, significantly increased opportunities for students to study abroad, increased applications from prospective students, and committed more than $60 million to construction of new buildings and renovation of older buildings—principally student residence halls.

After Kean's retirement, the trustees selected Robert Weisbuch, former president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, as Drew's eleventh president in 2005. He served for seven years, and stepped down in June 2012.[35] Under Weisbuch's direction, Drew became SAT-optional. From 2006 to 2013, applicants were allowed to submit a graded high school essay instead of SAT or ACT scores.[36] In 2013, the University reinstated the SAT (or ACT) as an admission requirement.[37]

Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger became the President of Drew University in July 2014, after serving 10 years as the President of the College of Saint Benedict.[38] She succeeds Dr. Vivian A. Bull, a former economics professor and associate dean of the College at Drew and former President of Linfield College, who served as Drew's interim president from 2012 to 2014.[39]

For the 2012-2013 year, Drew University's undergraduate costs are $54,200 (excluding books, personal expenditures, and health insurance), making Drew the most expensive school in the state of New Jersey.[5] Drew University offers both academic scholarships and need-based financial aid.

Drew University offers programs leading to the traditional undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) through its College of Liberal Arts. Traditional core liberal arts courses are required of Drew students within a general education curriculum that allows them to shape an individual academic program. Drew's programs emphasize depth, independent research, experiential learning and collaborative teaming. A declared minor is required in the general education program, and students choose from structured disciplinary and interdisciplinary offerings, or may design a minor course of study, subject to faculty approval.

Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE): selected students engage in research under the supervision of retired industrial scientists.[49]

New York Semester on Contemporary Art: an 8-credit program where students meet weekly to discuss timely issues, and then visit New York Cityart museums two days a week.[50]

Drew Summer Science Institute: an on-campus summer program that pairs approximately 15 Drew students with faculty mentors for an intensive experience working full-time on a research project.[51]

Semester on Wall Street: an 8-credit program where 20 students attend classes twice a week in New York City at St. John's University, located in the Financial District. Students have guest lecturers from the various banks, organizations, and financial agencies.[52]

Semester on The United Nations: an 8-credit program where 20 students attend classes twice a week in New York City in the Church Center, directly across from UN Headquarters. Students have guest lecturers from the UN Secretariat and NGOs, and attend meetings of the UN General Assembly.[53]

London Semester: a 16-credit program where students explore political and social change in Great Britain.[54]

Graduate education has taken place at Drew University since 1912. Initially, graduate education was limited to theology, and was conducted through the Theological School. In 1955, the Graduate School was established to take responsibility for the academic study (i.e., non-ministerial) of religion at the graduate level, and allow for the development of new graduate programs. In 1999, to honor the generous gift made by Barbara and Finn Caspersen, the school was renamed the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies.[55]

Master of Arts in Teaching: 1-year program that trains individuals to be teachers, and grants provisional teacher certification in biology, chemistry, English, French, Italian, mathematics, physics, Spanish, social studies, or theater arts.

Master of Fine Arts in Poetry: 2-year low-residency program for poets and poet translators. Students are trained to develop their talent, gain knowledge of poetics, and work side-by-side with well-known poets.

Master of Letters: an interdisciplinary study of the humanities involving 9 courses, and a mastersthesis or 11 courses without a thesis. Master of Letters (M.Litt.) candidates may concentrate in specific area of study if they choose.

Doctor of Letters: an interdisciplinary study of the humanities involving 12 courses, and a doctoraldissertation (with an oral defense). Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) candidates must concentrate in one of seven areas—literary studies, global studies, studies in spirituality, writing, fine arts & media studies, Irish/Irish-American studies, or teaching in the two-year college.

Certificate in Medical Humanities: a 5-course study of medical humanities. Applicants to the C.M.H. program are generally required to have a masters and doctoral degree in a medical-related field. The program includes the study of biomedical ethics, the taking of a medical narrative, and the performance of a clinical practicum at Raritan Bay Medical Center.

Masters of Medical Humanities: a 10-course study of the medical humanities. In addition to C.M.H. requirements, the M.M.H. program includes a masters thesis.

Doctor of Medical Humanities: a 10-course study of the medical humanities. In addition to C.M.H. requirements, the D.M.H. program includes a doctoral dissertation (with an oral defense).

Master of Arts: an interdisciplinary graduate program in modern intellectual and cultural history, involving 9 courses, and a master thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy: an interdisciplinary graduate program in modern intellectual and cultural history, involving 12 courses, a student portfolio, proficiency in a modern foreign language, and a doctoral dissertation (with an oral defense).

A statue of Francis Asbury (1745–1816), one of the first two Methodist bishops whose travels spread Methodism across the United States and launched the Second Great Awakening

Drew Theological School admitted its first students in 1867. Until the 1950s, the school was known as the Drew Theological Seminary, and most students sought a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) degree, which was considered the standard for becoming a minister in an established church. Occasionally, the seminary did issue other degrees, such a Master of Arts or a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) to students engaged in the graduate study of religion.[59] Starting in 1920 women were admitted as students, and most notably Olive Winchester was issued a Doctor of Theology in 1925, and became the first female ordained minister in Great Britain.[60]

The school is often noted for its strong ties to Korean Methodism. The Rev. Henry Appenzeller, a graduate of the Theological School, became the first Christian missionary to Korea. He worked to establish the Korean Methodist Church, schools and universities, and he translated the Bible into Korean. As a result of his work and his connection to Drew, the Theological School's matriculating class includes many students from South Korea.

One of the 13 official seminaries of the United Methodist Church, the Theological School prepares those pursuing ministry in the United Methodist Church. The student body also includes students preparing for ministry in other Christian denominations, and those from other faith communities.

Master of Arts: a program designed for the academic study (i.e., non-ministerial) of religion at the graduate level. The Master of Arts (M.A.) requires 14 courses and a master's thesis, or 16 courses without a thesis.

Master of Arts in Ministry: a program for individuals wishing to be ordained as deacons, or who are seeking a non-traditional ministry. The Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A.M.) is a 2-year program requiring 15 courses.

Master of Divinity: the most widely recognized and accepted degree for religious professionals. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a 3-year program requiring 28 courses.

Master of Sacred Theology: a 1-year, 6-course, program for current ministers who wish to deepen their scholarly understanding of an area.

Doctor of Ministry: an advanced degree for current ministers involving 6 courses, and a doctoral thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy: a degree designed for academic research in religion. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) requires 12 courses, proficiency in a modern foreign language, comprehensive exams, and a doctoral dissertation (with an oral defense).

Built in 1938 with funds donated by Lenox S. Rose, the Rose Memorial Library houses the university's library collections offering 558,000 bound volumes, more than 378,000 microforms, 10,000 periodical titles in electronic database subscriptions, and about 2,700 periodical subscriptions in paper form. The facility also includes a media resource center and learning center. The library has been designated a selective depository for U.S. government publications in accordance with the Federal Depository Library Program. Drew also maintains collections of official documents from the United Nations and the state of New Jersey. There are over 400,000 documents in the collection.[61][62]

Drew University houses the United Methodist Archives and History Center administered by the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. This collection is among the most comprehensive collections of Methodist books, documents and artifacts in the world offering insight into eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English and American religious and cultural history.[61][63]

The library's special collections include a collection of books, manuscripts, artifacts and papers of Nebraska-born author Willa Cather (1873–1947). This collection, which is regarded as the best collection of Cather's papers assembled in the United States, was given to the university by several donors, including Frederick B. Adams, former director of the Pierpont Morgan Library; Earl and Achsah Brewster, longtime friends of Cather; violinist Yehudi Menuhin; and by Finn and Barbara Caspersen.[64][65][66]

Drew has three a cappella groups: 36 Madison Avenue (all male), All of the Above (co-ed), and On a Different Note (all female). Concerts are held regularly throughout the year, with major concerts occurring at the beginning and end of each semester.

The Princeton Review ranks Drew as having the number one theatre program in the United States for any liberal arts college.[67] Drew has two theatres, the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, home to the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and the Thomas Kean Blackbox Theatre, located in the Dorothy Young Center.

Drew's theatre program was ranked as the #1 theatre program for any liberal arts college in the United States, and #2 overall.[68][69]

Drew offers an alternative living community called "theme houses". The theme houses produce many of the major campus wide events that take place every year, and also hold many theme parties that occur throughout the semester. The six theme houses on campus are

WoCo: A Feminist House - a house for those interested in women's, LGBT and gender issues

La Casa - a house for those interested in Latin America related subjects

Asia Tree House - a house for those interested in subjects relating to Asia

Spirituality House - a multi-faith house for those interested in topics related to spirituality and lawful and spiritually enhancing means of encouraging spiritual enlightenment through self-stimulation.

WaZoBia - a house for those interested in the cultures and communities in Africa

Earth House - a house for those interested in sustainable living, and environmental subjects

Drew's sports teams are known as the Rangers and compete in the NCAA's Division III. The Rangers field teams in 18 varsity sports (10 female, 8 male). Drew is a member of the Landmark Conference for men's and women's basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, and baseball, field hockey, softball. The Rangers compete as an independent in men's and women's fencing, which compete in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA),[70] and women's equestrian, which competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).[71] Drew offers many club teams including ultimate frisbee and Drew's women's and men's rugby teams, which are part of the collegiate division of the Metropolitan New York Rugby Football Union. Drew has several intramural sports programs.

According to the UMC, Drew's seminary now has more than 3,500 alumni and alumnae "in 45 states and 18 foreign countries, including 21 bishops of The United Methodist Church."[27] Among these alumni: Henry G. Appenzeller (B.D. 1885) was the first Methodist missionary to Korea and fostered a relationship between Korea, the church, and Drew that endures to this day;[27] and Olive Winchester (Th.D. 1925), a Church of the Nazarene theologian, was the first female ordained minister in Great Britain.[77][78]

^Several locations on campus, including Asbury Hall and S.W. Bowne Hall appeared in an episode of Friday Night Lights titled "New York, New York" (3x08) which first aired on 19 November 2008. See Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Friday Night Lights: New York, New York. Retrieved 13 October 2013.

^ abcDrew University. Presidents of Drew University: John McClintock. Retrieved 13 October 2013. Adapted from Joy, James Richard (editor). The Teachers of Drew, 1867-9142, A Commemorative Volume issued on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of Drew Theological Seminary, October 15, 1942 (Madison, New Jersey: Drew University, 1942).

^ abcdDrew University. A Short History of Drew University, citing Cunningham, John T. University in the Forest: The Story of Drew University 3rd Edition (Florham Park, New Jersey: Afton Publishing, 2002). Retrieved 23 October 2013.

^ abcdefgCunningham, John T. "Baldwin Brothers and Brothers College" originally published in Drew Magazine (Winter 1999). Retrieved 23 October 2013. Cunningham states they studied law at Columbia, but no other source substantiates that.

^Allen, E.P. (compiler). Cornell Legal Directory. 3rd Edition (March 1903) (Cooperstown, New York: Crist, Scott & Parshall, 1903), 22. lists them both as graduated with an A.B. in 1892. Leonard was admitted to the New York bar in 1892; Arthur in 1894.

^ abThe Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada – The Commission on Accrediting. Member Schools: Drew University Theological School. Retrieved 17 October 2013. Drew's accreditation is scheduled for a comprehensive evaluation in 2020-2021 for renewal.